CHENNAI: Popular Tamil actor and DMDK (Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam) leader Vijayakanth passed away on thursday morning. He was 71. The actor-turned-politician was admitted to Chennai hospital on early Thursday morning after contracting COVID-19. According to a medical bulletin released, Vijayakanth breathed his last at 3 am on Thursday.

In a recent function held, Vijayakanth's wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth took charge as the new general secretary of DMDK and it was the last time that Vijayakanth appeared before the public. The once sturdy actor looked frail and withered at the function which left his admirers and fans teary-eyed. Even his family members received flak for bringing him to function in such deteriorating health.

Vijayakanth rose to popularity during a cinema frenzy 80s when Tamil audiences worshipped stalwarts like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Sivaji Ganeshan. Nobody would have wagered that this Madurai-born actor would topple the unchallenged throne of the superstars. Most of Vijayakanth's movies were action flicks that conveyed a social message and revolved around corruption. Unlike many of his colleagues in the field, Vijayakanth had the knack to shake a leg in dance sequences, even shocking his sceptics who ridiculed his physique.

However, it was in 1991, that Vijayakanth earned the moniker 'Captain’ after starring in the movie ‘Captain Prabhakaran’. It was his 100^th film and much to everyone's surprise, the movie got a cult status in Tamil cinema after experiencing a rousing success. His 2002 movie 'Ramana' directed by A R Murugadoss created waves at the box office, running successfully for more than 100 days. Vijayakanth received the Tamil Nadu state film award for best actor in 1988 for the film Senthoora Poove.

In 2006, he tested new waters by entering politics, creating a centre-left party Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). In the first election contested, Vijayakanth created history by winning the Vridhachalam seat becoming the first DMDK MLA in Tamil Nadu history. At one time his party even secured more seats than the current ruling DMK.